CVE-2008-2159 in Internet Explorer
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 can save encrypted pages in the cache even when the DisableCachingOfSSLPages registry setting is enabled, which might allow local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2024
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 contains a critical security flaw that undermines the intended protection mechanisms for secure web browsing sessions. This vulnerability specifically affects the browser's handling of cached content when SSL/TLS encryption is involved, creating a scenario where sensitive data can be inadvertently stored in the browser cache despite explicit security configurations designed to prevent such behavior. The issue stems from a fundamental misalignment between the DisableCachingOfSSLPages registry setting and the actual caching mechanisms implemented within the browser's architecture. When this registry parameter is correctly configured to disable SSL page caching, the browser should ensure that no encrypted content is stored in the local cache storage, yet this protection mechanism fails to function properly in IE7.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows local users to access cached copies of encrypted web pages that contain sensitive information such as personal data, financial details, or confidential communications. This occurs because the browser's caching subsystem does not properly respect the registry setting that should prevent caching of SSL sessions, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by attackers with local access to the compromised system. The flaw represents a failure in the browser's security model where the intended protection mechanisms are bypassed through improper implementation of cache management policies. This vulnerability specifically impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as it allows unauthorized access to data that should remain protected through secure session management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by malware or malicious users with local system access. Attackers can leverage this weakness to recover sensitive information from cached web pages, potentially including login credentials, personal identification numbers, financial account details, or other confidential data that was transmitted over secure connections. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates silently in the background without alerting users to the compromised security state, making it difficult to detect and remediate. This issue can be classified under CWE-200, which deals with improper information exposure, and represents a failure in access control mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized data access through cache manipulation.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns and threat modeling approaches. The flaw aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access and defense evasion domains, as it enables attackers to access cached credentials and session information while potentially avoiding detection through cache-based persistence mechanisms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable registry setting, deploying browser security policies that enforce stricter cache management, and ensuring that users understand the risks associated with local system access. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and the need for thorough testing of security controls to ensure they function as intended. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date browser versions and security patches, as newer versions of Internet Explorer and other browsers have addressed this specific caching behavior through improved implementation of secure session handling and cache management protocols.